Page 30 of Charmed

He cast me a sidelong glance. “Is a frog really interested in this story?”

“If we’re to be companions for the foreseeable future, I want to better understand you.”

He nodded but didn’t immediately speak. The lock emanated a faintclickthat made me think he’d unlocked it, but he just flicked his wrist to exchange the golden magical light for an amber one, as if switching between magical tools. I wanted to ask about the difference between the two, but was too invested in our current thread to distract him.

“I met my apprentice the same day I had an unpleasant encounter with my sister…the magical one, not my sweet nonmagical elder sister. Demetria has always been fascinated with magic, but her interest lies in exploring forbidden aspects of the craft. In her frequent efforts to prove that her powers are superior, we got in a magical fight…which I lost, leaving me feeling resentful that despite her frequent abuse of her powers she possesses greater talent. So when later that day I met the woman who would become my apprentice, I desired to acquire the status of mentor not solely for the competition, but to tutor someone in the magical arts as they should be learned.” He sighed. “Or perhaps those reasons were merely an excuse and in truth I only wanted to feel better about my own abilities. Despite my initial reasons, I found tutoring her surprisingly enjoyable…albeit distracting.”

Annoyance flared in my heart at his admission, but before I could offer a snapping retort, his brows furrowed.

“Perhaps that’s not the best word. I didn’t mind her curiosity and I found great satisfaction in watching her grow. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t been so distracted with my own concerns.”

The words reminded him of the matter at hand and he returned to his lock. I struggled to sort out my emotions warring between lingering annoyance at his neglect and relief at his confession that he hadn’t meant to ill use me as I found my attention drawn to his magic…particularly the way he lit up as he manipulated it.

He’s rather cute. It was different than being handsome, though he was that too—it embodied both his personality and his passion for magic, all which only enhanced his appearance. “Are your good looks part of a charm or are they natural?” Curiosity compelled me to ask the impertinent question before I could check the errant words.

His hands stilled. “Pardon?”

My entire body grew unbearably hot, tempting me to hop into the pond to hide my burning embarrassment. “Nevermind.”

By his bewildered expression he’d clearly heard me. “I have better uses for my magic than my appearance. Does your question indicate that you find me attractive?” He seemed rightfully confused that an apparent amphibian happened to notice such a thing.

The heat suffusing my warty cheeks deepened. “I—” The last thing I wanted to admit was thatyesI happened to find him annoyingly handsome, an opinion which would prove awkward after I turned back into a human and he realized I’d been his apprentice this entire time. “It was merely an observation. After all, I’m a frog.”

“A delicate way of informing me that despite my secret ambitions, I can give you no competition for the myriad of frog love interests I’m sure you’ve had throughout your life.” The idea seemed to amuse him. “If you wish to become a human, then you’ll eventually need to expand your horizons to people…but you still won’t need to worry about me, considering I have no interest in a relationship.”

His statement about being my competition confused me, but my attention was caught by the last part of his statement. “You don’t?” It seemed a preference unbefitting a prince who possessed unlimited options amongst the court.

He didn’t seem inclined to answer, his attention already far from our topic and focused entirely on the lock. I thought that’d be the end of our conversation, but after a few minutes of silence he eventually spoke.

“My looks are like my title—the product of random chance. Rather than my personality or my abilities, they’re what instead draw the unwanted attention of women whom I doubt see beyond them or my status.”

Which only reminded me of an unresolved puzzle. “You told me you once earned another position you feel you didn’t deserve.”

He lifted his gaze. “Does such a tale really interest you?”

To my own surprise I found that it did. Ever since meeting the prince, mystery had shrouded him like the magic he possessed. I wanted to blame his aloofness and distraction with his own responsibilities preventing us from getting to know one another, but in truth I’d been just as consumed with my own studies, likewise too busy to take notice of him.

Yet now, cursed as a frog and miles away from my family, my elusive mentor was my only companion. “It does,” I said.

“Then perhaps I’ll share that story another time.” He returned his focus to the lock. I felt bad having diverted his attention for so long, so I didn’t interrupt him until he finished, a process that took another hour. It eventually clicked open and a swath of light rose to form into a parchment bearing instructions for the next task.

Wizard Alden plucked it from the air. I gave him a moment to study it before I could no longer contain my curiosity. “What’s the next task?”

He didn’t immediately answer, his brows furrowing as he reread it. “A test of Elemental Magic.”

“Such as wielding fire, wind, water, or earth?”

He’d already demonstrated his prowess in such abilities back when he’d been attempting to convince me to become his apprentice. Yet he continued to frown. With an impatient sigh I hopped into a position where I could better read its contents—which turned out to be atop his head of brown hair, a position that was surprising soft and which brought with it the rather startling urge to nestle myself deeper.

He jolted, nearly sending me careening off my perch. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to read.” I expected him to brush me off, but to my surprise he made no motion to do so.

“Next time please warn me before you do that.” He allowed me to remain and further obliged me by lifting the instructions so I could better see them.

Unsurprising for a magical competition, the task was a bit more complicated than I’d initially assumed, yet still seemed simple enough: to use the elements to create a new form of magic.

“That’s not too bad.”

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